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This Is Me--2019 A to Z Theme

The Challenge of 2019 was the 10th! Since this was kind of a milestone year for A to Z my theme was a retrospective of sorts, looking at my 10 years as a blogger as well as ruminations about my life as it is and as I hope it yet can be. I've got places to be and people to see along the way. Hope you'll join me for this part of my journey...

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Do's and Don'ts of Memoir Writing: The FOLLOWING THE WHISPERS Blog Book Tour with Author Karen Walker

Today I'm happy to have Karen Walker as my guest as she makes a stop on Tossing It Out in her blog tour to get the word out about her memoir Following the Whispers. I first discovered Karen's blog fairly early on in my blogging career. I was drawn to her pithy posts that were honest and from the heart, and often very informative.

Today in this guest post Karen continues in that helpful vein as she provides some useful advice about writing a memoir. After all, this is one topic that she knows well having written the successful memoir that is the subject of her current virtual book tour. Whether or not you are planning to ever write your own memoir, the following is some good information to read and remember.

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Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing Memoir

Writing memoir is not for the faint-hearted. I think one must have a compelling reason to write and publish their own story. In my case, I’d learned some valuable life lessons I thought might help others struggling with similar issues. Some want to write just for their family--that’s not the kind of memoir-writing I’m talking about. Here are my thoughts on the do’s and don’ts when writing memoir for publication.

•Do tell the truth. If you don’t remember something clearly, say so. If you are changing names, say so. Whatever you choose to do,it’s okay as long as you let your readers know.

•Don’t just take whole pages from your personal journal and think that constitutes writing a memoir. Journal writing is a whole different thing than crafting a story from your life events.

•Do use fiction techniques in your writing such as: scenes, complete with dialogue; lush descriptions, specific details, use of literary devices such as metaphor and simile. Just don’t write fiction.

•Don’t just put things in chronological order because that’s the way they happened. Craft your story the way it works the best. Here is where you can really utilize fiction techniques like flashbacks.

•Do make sure you grab your reader’s attention and craft your story to keep that interest throughout.

•Don’t make anyone in your life out to be totally evil. Make the people in your story rounded characters. Everyone has both good and bad traits. Even if someone did you great harm, they still have some redeeming virtues.

•Do make sure family members and friends are okay with what you are doing before you go ahead and do it. In my case, I needed to wait until both my parents were gone before publishing my memoir. I just didn’t want to unintentionally hurt them with my perspective on my life.

There is so much more to say on this subject, but this is a good start for anyone thinking about writing memoir.

Thank you, Lee, for hosting me today. I hope you and your readers found this informative and useful.

Blessings,

Karen

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About the Author:

Karen Walker is a writer who has published essays in newspapers and magazines, as well as an anthology series. After a 30+ year career in marketing and public relations, she went back to college to complete a Bachelor's degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2005 from the University of New Mexico's University Studies program with a major emphasis in Creative Writing. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, Gary, and their dog, Buddy. When she’s not writing, you can find her doing international folk dancing, singing at retirement communities with her trio, Sugartime, hiking, reading, or hanging out with friends.

My guest for next Wednesday will be Marcus from Writing Investigated. Marcus is the creative mind behind the popular Blogging from A to Z search buttons or navigation buttons. I'm sure he'll have some interesting things to say.

Thanks Lee for hosting the wonderful Karen. It is fun to follow you about, as you tell us more and more of your process, Karen. I like it. I have a story in mind based on a real event but it isn't my story. Not really. I could make it mine I suppose. The person that is at the heart of it knows my intention and we talk about it in depth. I'll keep your tips handy.Jan Morrison

Good morning everyone and thanks, Lee, for having me here today. It's so much fun hopping around the blog world.Madeleine, my first attempts were whiny and self-pitying as well. Then comes editing!!!!!Yvonne, let's talk - I'd be happy to share what I know and don't know about self-publishing.Alex, that is the hardest thing about memoir - that in telling our truth, we may hurt someone else.Suze, thanks for those kind wordsSue, you can email me if you like - I'd be happy to see if I can helpJan, there are folks who have written memoirs about others, so that can definitely workFishyfacedesigns, nice to meet you, too. Thanks for the well wishes.Wanda, thank you.Mathew, now that I am writing fiction, I am finding the same thing. On my next tour stop I actually talk about the difference in writing both.L.G. The last thing I wanted in telling my story was to hurt someone else. I didn't want my first husband to even know about it. It's why I changed names--to protect privacy.Karen

I have never attempted to write me memoirs as my life has been too boring. Karen, best wishes for your continued success with Following the Whispers! You do have an amazing story to share with the world.

Stephen, not so sure it's an amazing story, but it's sure been challenging at times.Sharon, thanks, yes, it's hard to come up with just a few salient points about writing memoir.Rebecca, I always learn something when reading others' stories.Thanks, Sharon. Looking forward to"meeting" you there.karen

Karen,I enjoyed these no-nonsense, practical memoir writing tips. You really nailed the essence of memoir writing-tell a story using fiction techniques, stand in your truth, be aware of the people in your life who will be affected and present characters in a balanced way. Lots of pearls here as well as a great discussion. Thanks Karen and Lee for a great post!

Thank you Lee, and thank you Karen! Fantastic tips here, I look forward to following your blog Karen..you definatley know what you're talking about! And Lee, just wanted to let you know that I'm starting 'The Black Veil' today! I found a copy at one of my favourite stores, 'The Bookman'...I'll let you know what I think..

Wow. I encourage all memoir writing, but as Kathleen said, you really nailed these points - the difference between a family memoir and one that will sell to the public. Very concise, very important. I have to link to this post.

I was reading Karen's site after her post on Alex's blog. Then I saw this link about Memoirs. Good information here... I've often told my Mom that she should write about her life. It's just.. unbelievable. I had a simple, boring, happy childhood and life :) Nothing to share there, but Mom? She's been through hell and back and then again and still survives. She told me when she "retires retires" (she's a returned retired teacher) then she'll write her story. I hope that will be some point and time in the future. She loves her work! Sorry, I rambled :)

Thank you, Lee and Karen. Memoirs have really helped me through some challenging times in my life, so they have a special place in my heart. The tips are great, and also some good signposts for fiction.

Karen, I am writing a memoir and am desperate for a glimmer of hope. It seems that the web is chock full of people saying, "do this" or "don't do that". Also I'm beginning to feel my subject matter is contrived, already been done, or that it's just not that interesting. I seem to be stuck on the idea of having to present it from growing up (which is when I showed traits of what is to come in the "arc") and so many say "don't talk about growing up, being bullied, drinking/drugging/recovery" etc. I'm a bit lost because when I tell stories aloud people say "you have to write a book" but the process is making me think that I don't, but I really want to LOL! Thoughts?

Hi Michael,I want to encourage you to continue to write your story. Try not to pay attention to what others are saying about the do's and don'ts right now, including me. Just put down on paper the story you want to tell. You can always delete or add things later. And it doesn't matter if someone else had similar issues and told their story. Your story is unique because it is yours. And the way you tell it will be unique, too. Just allow it to come out. With editing, you can start to pay attention to some of what others are saying. But not now. Good luck!karen

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A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!